Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to his recent meeting with Moate Action Group if he will approve its application for a community worker. [28795/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Community Services Programme (CSP) is designed to address locally identified gaps in the provision of services to communities and to utilise the potential of community assets and resources that are already in place to support of delivery of services and to improve community well-being. Funding is provided to support the employment of staff to deliver the service.

Funding of €46m has been provided for the programme in 2016 which will maintain the current level of activity. Given the restrictions on resources, the Department has been unable to make an open call for new proposals to the programme since 2008.

However, from time to time and as resources allow, the Department does process new applications received from organisations that have expressed an interest in and are considered eligible under the programme.

The group referred to by the Deputy was advised last week by the Department that Pobal will be in contact with them to progress their proposal. The group will be required to work with Pobal to undertake an in-depth business planning process to determine the overall suitability and the resource requirements of their proposal in line with CSP criteria. Pobal is contracted by the Department to undertake the financial and contract management for the CSP. A decision on the proposal by the group cannot be made until this process is complete.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.